Author: Evan Friedley

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Local Profile

by Susan Budig Think of the beehive as a singular animal, Dustin Vanasse co-owner with his spouse, Grace Vanasse, of Bare Honey tells me. The individual bee is like a cell of the body programmed to work its own specific task. As the bee ages, which is measured in days rather than years, its duty changes. The beehive is a complex, highly developed, social animal that brings us a wide variety of consumable honey, as well as pollen, beeswax, propolis and more. Bare Honey bees enjoy the luxury of the craftsmanship of a Warré hive, a stable habitat, and chemical-free living both in their food sources and living environment. These three features form the basis of Bare Honey’s distinctively nutritious product. Winnie-the-Pooh Hive Bare Honey bees live in a hive designed over a hundred years ago by French apiarist, Abbé Émile Warré. The hive mimics  a hollowed out tree, a common location for a beehive in nature. Vanasse likens its style

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Uncategorized

Save 20% on select  digestive enzymes on November 13! The holidays are synonymous with lots of entertaining which often involves cooking and eating a lot of food! However, sometimes all that extra food doesn't make us feel so well. That's where digestive enzymes can help! So when you are stocking up on groceries for your Thanksgiving dinner on November 13, don't forget the digestive enzymes as select enzymes from brands, including Enzymedica, Garden of Life, Mega Food, Source Naturals (gluten and lactose enzymes), and Country  Life will be 20% off! If you don't know which one would be right for you, our wellness department staff would love to help you out so don't be afraid to ask! Why take digestive enzymes? Longtime wellness department employee, Naomi Lundberg, provides some important reasons why: Digestive enzymes are important for a variety of reasons. They are key components of the digestive process as

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Co-op Gardens, Garden Center

  [caption id="attachment_21233" align="alignright" width="369"] Photo by Susie Hessburg[/caption] Why are these guys having so much fun with some vintage bottles and heirloom tomatoes? Because they excavated the bottles and the tomato seeds from an 1890s homestead privy in Faribault, MN.  Imagine how thrilled they were to discover that the seeds were viable and produced prolific plants with tasty tomatoes, in spite of "crappy" beginnings. Before you pooh-pooh this unlikely discovery, click here to read this fascinating, Growing "Crappy" Tomatoes story, authored by Tracy Donovan from our produce department. This past Spring the Valley Natural Foods Garden Center was able to distribute a few young descendants of these Faribault Privy Tomatoes to customers who were interested in growing an ‘unknown’ heirloom tomato variety. The customers agreed that they would check back in with us at the end of the season to give us their reports. Here, finally, is our forum for reporting in!  Please feel welcome to

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Community

Here are some tips for seeking out Non-GMO products at Valley Natural Foods. What are GMOs? According to the Non-GMO Project, “GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.” Easy ways to avoid GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) Look for the USDA certified organic label, because the organic standards do not allow GMOs in certified organic foods.  Look for products labeled “100% organic,” “organic” or “made with organic ingredients.”  You may also look for Non-GMO claims that are independently verified, for example by the Non-GMO Project. Learn which products contain GMOs According to the Non-GMO Project, the following are considered to be “high risk” crops: •Alfalfa •Canola •Corn •Cotton •Hawaiian

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News

The Star Tribune names Valley Natural Foods one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Minnesota. The Star Tribune published the Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 15, 2014. Valley Natural Foods ranked 12th on the midsize company list. The list is broken down into separate large, midsize and small company categories, representing 100 different businesses across Minnesota. CLICK HERE to view the report. As a 37-year-old community-owned food co-op in Burnsville, this is ValleyNatural Foods’ first time on the list. Over the last six years, rapid growth has increased the store’s staffing levels by 40 percent, growing the employee base from around 100 employees in 2008 to 170 in 2014. Paula Sahin, the store’s Human Resources Manager, attributes the growth to many things. “We create an environment where people know that the work they do matters,” Sahin said. “It is the purpose behind their work

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Local Profile

If you inquire with the Minnesota Secretary of State, you’ll learn that one person may cast one vote in one polling place. Those who disobey this law might be found guilty of ballot stuffing. Last week, however, I cast 95 votes at my local co-op with 86 of them in favor of the “Local Growers and Farmers Party.” That is, I voted with my dollars at the cash register and over 90 percent of my vote favored local growers and producers here in Minnesota and adjacent states. In the real world, the one-voter, one-vote rule applies to the citizens of Minnesota, as well as our nation. In fact, it also governs cooperatives where each membership equals one vote during the annual election for board directors. Consequently, as an owner at Valley Natural Foods, you have an opportunity to vote in a

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Farm Partner, Local Profile, Local Vendor

The name Hidden Stream Farm belies the open-book policy of its owners Lisa and Eric Klein. Besides, the creek isn’t all that hidden, confesses Eric Klein. Lisa Klein spoke with “This is Living Naturally” from her home-office early one morning before any of their six children arose. She said callers are welcome anytime. They like to maintain a transparency in their farming methods so that their customers can pop in and no one will be surprised or dismayed. Pigs Live Like Pigs Likely, visitors who take the drive to the Elgin hamlet, not far from the bluffs of the Mississippi River, will encounter porcine squeals and rooting noises as a passel of naturally curious pigs digs in the dirt, wallows in the mud and plays in the straw. Purchased at six weeks old, the Kleins start a new drove of 100 feeder pigs each month for a total

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Community Outreach, Education

Summer vacation and warm weather  brings thirsty kids to the kitchen looking for something to drink. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against energy drinks for children and adolescents because of high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants. Doctors only advise sports drinks during or after rigorous exercise because of the sugar content (concern for obesity and dental caries). What can we do to keep kids hydrated and satisfied during the active summer months? 1. Water, water and more water! Mineral waters are especially helpful on those hot, active days when kids need to replenish electrolytes lost during vigorous play. The Kids Health website: http://goo.gl/u4ZA99 gives the perfect explanation for children, telling them why water is important and how much they should be drinking. 2. Healthier sports drinks. For those hottest days when kids are active outside, you can make healthy

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Events

Did you know that in 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month? He also named the third Sunday as National Ice Cream Day!  On Sunday, July 20th, Valley Natural Foods will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Ice Cream Day with a blowout 20% off sale on all of its ice cream brands!* Ice cream is a wonderful treat in the summer and we have many local brands to try, including some new ones and many gluten free and/or dairy-free varieties too. *While supplies last. No rain checks. Local Ice Cream LUV Ice Cream Made locally in St. Paul, LUV Ice Creams’ owners, Susanna and Ilya, pride themselves in making sugar-free, gluten-free ice cream, naturally sweetened with stevia that still tastes great with wholesome,  natural and certified organic ingredients. They also make vegan, dairy-free options too.  Valley Natural Foods carries their

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Local Profile, Local Vendor, Uncategorized

We live in a world of chemicals. Our bodies’ compounds echo the building blocks of nature: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. So massaging more chemicals into our skin in the form of cosmetics shouldn’t be a problem, but it is. Six years ago, at age 50, Viktoriya Hopperstad found herself with itchy, flaky skin. Creams she usually used provided no relief. A doctor diagnosed her from a textbook, leaving her unimpressed and scratching her head. A trip to Hawaii and the introduction to macadamia nut oil—known for its creamy, indulgent qualities—flipped a switch for Viktoriya Hopperstad and brought her to a new understanding of skincare and the application of chemicals. From this experience, Vika’s Essentials began to germinate. Business Takes Root “Five years ago, I totally reconsidered what I was doing,” she recalled. “One day I decided, that’s enough.” Viktoriya Hopperstad, a 15-year

13750 Co Rd 11, Burnsville, MN 55337

Call us during store hours at: 952-891-1212

Valley Natural Foods Co-op works in partnership with the South Metro community to support health and well-being through education and expertise in local, sustainable food and wellness services.

Store Hours:

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily

Coffee & Juice Bar In-Store Hours 8:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m. daily

Coffee & Juice Bar Drive-Thru Window 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily

Holiday Hours

OPEN on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

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